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Minneapolis Construction Update October 20 - 26, 2012

For all construction questions or concerns, call the Construction Hotline:  (651) 602-1404

Schedules subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances!  Check www.centralcorridor.org frequently for the latest updates or follow the twitter feed at www.twitter.com/cclrt. 

Weavers Guild of Minnesota Located in the Textile Center just half a block from the future Prospect Park Light Rail Station, the Weavers Guild offers classes and workshops in the art of weaving. Try your hand at making rugs, scarves, handbags, or jewelry in one of the many “Try It” classes.  For a full list of classes, workshops, and events, visit http://www.weaversguildmn.org. Photo left: Becky Franklin, Operations Manager of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota by the rainbow of yarn color options. Photo below: Students in a “Try It” class learn to weave a rug.

Weavers Guild of Minnesota 38th Annual Fiber Fair

November  9-11, 2012

Shop the amazing locally handmade textile art in a beautiful gallery space.  All items are made by members of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and proceeds support local fiber artists.  These handmade items make perfect gifts for yourself or someone special.  

The Weavers Guild Fiber Fair will be held off-site at Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis. For full details, visit www.weaversguildmn.org/events-visit/fiber-fair.

Construction Highlights for the Week of October 20 - 26

• Full closure of the Washington Avenue Bridge starting at 12 a.m. Saturday, October 20 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 22. -NEW
• Early morning activities to deliver rail tracks occurs on Washington Avenue, between Harvard Street and Huron Boulevard, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23. -NEW
• East lane of Malcolm Avenue between 4th Street and University of MN Transitway closed for approximately two weeks; two-way traffic maintained in west lane. See below for details. -NEW
• Sidewalk portion closed on the east side of Malcolm Avenue midblock between 4th Street and University of MN Transitway for approximately one week; use sidewalk on the west side of Malcolm. -NEW

Other Road Construction in the Minneapolis Area

This construction is not part of the Central Corridor Project but may affect your commute in the area. For the most up to date information on work that is not part of the Central Corridor Project, visit the website for each agency.

Work by City of Minneapolis
Riverside Avenue reconstruction continues on West Bank. To learn more about this project, visit
www.minneapolismn.gov/cip/all/cip_riverside_index. Contact Chris Engelmann of the City of Minneapolis at 612-673-3274 for more information.

I-35W and Washington Avenue Interchange Area

• Hiawatha Bicycle Path between West Bank and downtown Minneapolis over I-35W detoured through 2013 Web Link (pdf)
• Ramp from northbound I-35W to University of Minnesota East Bank open; only right-turns to the east are available.
• Westbound lanes of Washington Avenue from East Bank to downtown Minneapolis closed between 19th Avenue and Cedar Avenue; detour via northeast Cedar Avenue Ramp, through Cedar, to northwest Cedar Avenue Ramp.
  

Washington Avenue Bridge Closure

• Full closure starting at 12 a.m. Saturday, October 20 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 22. -NEW
• The pedestrian deck will not be affected by the full closure.
  

East Bank- Mississippi River to Walnut Street

Traffic and Bicycle Details

• No changes from Central Corridor LRT construction.

Sidewalk Details

• North/south crosswalk added at Church Street. -NEW
• North/south crosswalk at Union Street.
• North and south sidewalk of Washington Avenue between Pleasant Street and the east pedestrian bridge closed.
• South Washington Avenue sidewalk detoured for private construction between mid-block crossing east of Harvard Street and Walnut Street; follow posted detour.
  

Stadium Village- Walnut Street to UMN Transitway

Traffic and Bicycle Details 

• Early morning activities to deliver rail tracks occurs on Washington Avenue, between Harvard Street and Huron Boulevard, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23. -NEW
• Construction located in the center of University Avenue at Huron Boulevard; single lane of traffic
  maintained in each direction on University Avenue between Ontario Street and 25th Avenue.

Sidewalk Details

• None.
  

Prospect Park- 29th Avenue to Emerald Street

Vehicle and Bicycle Details

• East lane of Malcolm Avenue between 4th Street and University of MN Transitway closed for approximately two weeks; two-way traffic maintained in west lane. See below for details. -NEW
• Northbound lane of Malcolm Avenue between University Avenue and 4th Street closed; detour via 27th Avenue or 30th Avenue to 4th Street. See below for details.
• South side of Malcolm Avenue and University Avenue intersection closed; detour via Bedford Street to Orlin Avenue.
• Access from University Avenue to General Nanosystems, ENL House, and Family Services available west of 29th Avenue.
• Access from University Avenue to Tierney Brothers, Four Star Auto, and Great Brakes available at the intersection of Bedford Street.
• All traffic shifted to the north side of University Avenue between St. Mary’s Avenue and Berry Street; two way traffic maintained and access to businesses maintained.
• Arthur Avenue and Clarence Avenue closed to thru traffic to/from University Avenue; use alternate route.

Sidewalk Details

• East sidewalk of Malcolm Avenue midblock between 4th Street and University of MN Transitway closed for approximately one week; see below for details. -NEW
• Eastbound bus stop at Malcolm Avenue closed; use bus stop at Bedford Street.
• West crosswalk at Malcolm Avenue and University Avenue closed; use east crosswalk.
  

East Lane Construction of Malcolm Avenue between University Avenue and Transitway

Work is required along the east side of Malcolm Avenue between University Avenue and the Transitway to dig a trench and install electrical utilities. Due to the lack of detour routes for businesses and residents north of 4th Street, the west lane of Malcolm will be shared with stop signs added on either side allowing one vehicle to use the lane at a time. Please drive slowly and be aware of other drivers and construction crews as the work zone is directly adjacent to the drive lane. This work is scheduled to be complete in approximately two weeks.

Vehicle and Bicycle Details

• East lane of Malcolm Avenue between University Avenue and University of MN Transitway closed for approximately two weeks. -NEW
• Two-way traffic maintained on Malcolm Avenue between Transitway and 4th Street via stop signs allowing one vehicle at a time to use the lane; please take turns.
• Northbound Malcolm Avenue between University Avenue and 4th Street closed; detour via 27th Avenue or 30th Avenue to 4th Street. Southbound Malcolm remains open.
• All driveway access to businesses and residences will remain open throughout construction.

Sidewalk Details

• Sidewalk portion closed on the east side of Malcolm Avenue midblock between 4th Street and University of MN Transitway for approximately one week; use sidewalk on the west side of Malcolm. -NEW
  
  

Please don't go around barriers into construction zones. Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Check www.centralcorridor.org frequently for updates. 

Construction Activity Look Ahead

More information will be posted on these items in future updates:

• Traffic on University Avenue between 29th Avenue and Bedford Street switches to the outside lanes in early November.
• Malcolm Avenue north of University Avenue reopens to two-way traffic in early November.
• South side of the intersection of Malcolm Avenue and University Avenue reopens to two-way traffic in early November.

Construction Area                                   Construction Hours

I-35W Area and West Bank                                              7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday
East Bank: Church Street to Harvard Street                  5 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday; 5 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday
East Bank: Harvard Street to Oak Street                        5 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Stadium Village: Oak Street to University Avenue       7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday
University Avenue: 29th Avenue to Bedford Street      7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday

Permits may be granted for the contractor to work outside the hours outlined above. Night work will occur on Washington Avenue between Oak Street and Huron Boulevard for the next month on Monday-Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Questions, Comments, or Concerns?

Call the 24 hour Construction Hotline so we know there is an issue! (651) 602-1404 

• Do not bring questions or concerns to crews in the construction field. Crews work on specific tasks and will not know details on schedule and the most current information on plans and priorities. Call the construction hotline to leave a message and you will receive a call back to answer your question or learn more about the concern. All concerns and questions need to be received at the project management level to ensure issues are addressed.
  
• Sign up to receive construction updates via email!  Visit www.centralcorridor.org and enter your email address in the yellow box on the upper right corner of the page.

About the project:  

The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis along Washington and University avenues via the state Capitol and the University of Minnesota. Construction began in late summer 2010 on the planned 11-mile Central Corridor line, and service will begin in 2014. The line will connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at the Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council will be the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties' regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders' Collaborative. The Central Corridor LRT Project Website is www.centralcorridor.org.